1. To his credit, David Stern can spin information with the best of them. That being said, I have not met one player who, after fully understanding the particulars of the NBA's proposal, concluded that this is an acceptable deal. So my question is, what will it take for the NBA CEOs to understand that they are not going to be able to manipulate the players through the media?

2. The NBA CEOs know that their proposed system functions as a hard cap, because no team will be willing to pay that strict a penalty for going over the luxury tax. Do they think the players can't see that?

3. Do the NBA CEOs think the union can't see that this "new revision" is worse than the proposal they gave us last week, even though the "clock has stopped" on their ultimatum?

4. Are the NBA CEOs convince the union can't figure out that the way in which they constructed and defined the mid-level exception, no team will ever use it?

5. Did the NBA CEOs believe with Michael Jordan to the negotiating table we were going to be intimidated or awed to the point that this awful deal would start to look more attractive to us?

6. David Stern obviously issued his "terrible deal now or even worse deal" later ultimatum because he wanted to scare the players into meeting his every demand. Did he really expect that his threat would cause the union to come running with apologies for being bad employees and beg him to let us go back to work?

7. When the union was given the two options of a horrible deal now or an even worse deal later, why are people really surprised that we chose neither?

8. During recent negotiations, reporters continuously tweeted and wrote articles citing "anonymous sources" saying that we were closer to a deal then we actually were, or that progress was being made. Why do reporters keep giving false hope to fans?

9. During the 1998 lockout, David Robinson made the statement after one of their failed negotiation sessions, "They don't negotiate. They tell you how it will be, and they don't want to listen to the players." Isn't it interesting how history repeats itself?

10. When someone buys a fast-food franchise, they don't just get keys and a congratulations card. They receive instructions on how to successfully operate the business. Instead of the NBA CEOs attempting to create rules to save them from from themselves , wouldn't the NBA be better off with a training session by David Stern, teaching each NBA CEO how to successfully run his business and avoid the pitfalls of CEOs past?

11. Why wouldn't the NBA consider a rollback on the salaries of the presidents and general managers who mismanaged their teams and were the ones ultimately responsible for their financial problems?

12. Political sportswriter Dave Zirin asked me if I thought the concession workers, parking lot attendants, janitors, food vendors, secretaries, scouts, trainers, mascots, dance teams and every other employee affected by this lockout would turn their anger on both sides and follow the lead of other protestors around the country. What if they start "Occupy the NBA?"

13. If Occupy the NBA were to happen, would the occupiers see the NBA CEOs as the 1 percent who want to impose their corporate greed, power and will on their employees?

14. A few friends of mine told me that although they appreciated my support for the Occupy Wall Street movement, I would never be considered as part of the 99 percent (they made the distinction that I was more like the 5 percent). My question is, if an Occupy the NBA were to happen, would the players be lumped in with the 1 percent because of million-dollar salaries?

15. While the issues raised by the Wall Street occupiers differ from the issues of this lockout, aren't there obvious parallels in power imbalance?

16. Who is in the same position of power as the 1 percent ? Who wants a bailout for their own mismanagement decisions? Who is more closely aligned with the corporate interests from which the Wall Street occupiers are looking to reclaim the country?

17. More than 46 million people are living below the poverty line, unemployment is at 9 percent, and those who are employed are in constant fear of losing their jobs. Many people are unable to make mortgage payments or buy their kids clothes, much less think of college tuition. And rumors are spreading that unless a deal is reached this week, David Stern will cancel games through Christmas, even as some fans don't know how they will celebrate Christmas. With that economic reality, what if we simply lose the fans altogether?

18. Do the NBA CEOs understand that if the fan base shrinks that could decrease game attendance, lower TV ratings, lower overall interest and reduce the overall value of each franchise?

19. Could the outrage of the fans push the negotiations along more effectively than any labor committee, union, board of governors or mediator?

20. Why does race always have to be injected into this power struggle? Do people understand that the only color the 1 percent care about is green? They have a lot of it, they want a lot more of it, and they will step on anyone's (black, white, brown, etc.) neck to get it.

21. During the lockout of 1998, Michael Jordan famously said to Wizards CEO Abe Pollin "If you can't make a profit, you should sell your team." That was then and this is now. Why do people have difficulty understanding that he is no longer a player but currently joined at the hip with the rest of the CEOs of the NBA, who -- like Bank of America, Wall Street and the rest of the 1 percent -- not only want but expect a bailout for their own actions?

22. During the NFL's lockout, Troy Polamalu said, "I think what the players are fighting for is something bigger. A lot of people think it's millionaires versus billionaires and that's the huge argument. The fact is, it's people fighting against big business. The big business argument is, 'I got the money and I got the power, therefore, I can tell you what to do.' That's life everywhere. I think this is a time when the football players are standing up saying, 'No, no, no, the people have the power.'" Isn't it interesting how the common theme here is power and greed?

23. If your boss came to you and said, "Listen, I know we are coming off of record overall profits as far as overall revenue and the most lucrative year in history but we have made some individual decisions that we are not happy with and we need you to take massive pay cuts. We need you to agree to construct the rules so that we can no longer make those mistakes, and we want you to make it easier for us to get rid of you if we choose." What would your reaction be? Would you say "Some money is better than no money," or would you gather the rest of your fellow employees and stand up for yourselves?

ClippersE.G

11-14-2011, 12:41 AM

The funniest thing I discovered from this Etan Thomas crying was that he has a website. Etan Thomas has a website. Hahah

ClippersE.G

11-14-2011, 12:42 AM

Etan Thomas should get waived for comparing playing basketball in the NBA to having a real job

PlezPlayDKnicks

11-14-2011, 12:49 AM

Etan Thomas should get waived for comparing playing basketball in the NBA to having a real job

Wow..

PlezPlayDKnicks

11-14-2011, 12:50 AM

Etan Thomas should get waived for comparing playing basketball in the NBA to having a real job

Wow.. I guess it's easier to get a real job than to get and stay in the Nba

smith&wesson

11-14-2011, 01:00 AM

occupy the nba :eyebrow: lol

Wade>You

11-14-2011, 01:06 AM

23. If your boss came to you and said, "Listen, I know we are coming off of record overall profits as far as overall revenue and the most lucrative year in history but we have made some individual decisions that we are not happy with and we need you to take massive pay cuts. We need you to agree to construct the rules so that we can no longer make those mistakes, and we want you to make it easier for us to get rid of you if we choose." What would your reaction be? Would you say "Some money is better than no money," or would you gather the rest of your fellow employees and stand up for yourselves? I agree here; the people responsible for their own mess are walking away with a bailout and the employees are footing the bill.

11. Why wouldn't the NBA consider a rollback on the salaries of the presidents and general managers who mismanaged their teams and were the ones ultimately responsible for their financial problems?This.

2. The NBA CEOs know that their proposed system functions as a hard cap, because no team will be willing to pay that strict a penalty for going over the luxury tax. Do they think the players can't see that?This is true. With the current proposal, I see an effective hard cap of 80mil, anything past that is too punitive for teams outside of DAL and NYK, perhaps.

4. Are the NBA CEOs convince the union can't figure out that the way in which they constructed and defined the mid-level exception, no team will ever use it?I'd like to know more about this.

J4KOP99

11-14-2011, 01:08 AM

It's one thing if these players complain to the owners, in private. It's a whole other thing if these players are complaining to the public and expecting us to feel sorry for them.

I hope Etan Thomas doesn't even have a say for the players union, he sucks way too much to even earn one and he certainly seems to not even have the smarts outside of basketball either, based on this anyway.

Rego247

11-14-2011, 01:36 AM

Take the deal and STFU.

This.

Bramaca

11-14-2011, 01:41 AM

He is really pushing the limits with some of his comments.

Comparing the players plight with that of the common worker - the guy made 15 million ove the last 3 years for playing 700 minutes of basketball. Find me 1% of the population that makes more then that.

Comparing the NBA to companies that got a government bailout - the NBA isn't asking the government for money, they are trying to lower the pay of their highest paid employees and get things in order before it gets to the point of wanting a bailout. If the banks acted the same way there wouldn't have been a need for a bailout.

23. If your boss came to you and said, "Listen, I know we are coming off of record overall profits as far as overall revenue and the most lucrative year in history but we have made some individual decisions that we are not happy with and we need you to take massive pay cuts. We need you to agree to construct the rules so that we can no longer make those mistakes, and we want you to make it easier for us to get rid of you if we choose." What would your reaction be? Would you say "Some money is better than no money," or would you gather the rest of your fellow employees and stand up for yourselves?

How many of us on here can get hired and go into work doing things half-assed and still be guarenteed our salary for years? The answer is zero, its not even comparable. What the owners were asking for was still better then anything 99.9% of the population would ever get in compensation for not doing their job well.

Tony_Starks

11-14-2011, 01:48 AM

Etan Thomas seems on the surface to be a fairly intelligent fellow. I wonder does he realize the great tragic irony of a guy who couldn't beat out Kwame Brown for a starting spot even daring to speak about the nba..........

Arch Stanton

11-14-2011, 01:51 AM

I didn't realize that Etan Thomas still played in the NBA? I'm glad he made an appearance because once the NBA starts again he can go back into hiding or riding the bench. Hopefully not for 5 million a year.

beliges

11-14-2011, 01:51 AM

It is not your right to play in the NBA. Its a privilege. If you dont like the system or how the owners treat their players you are free to search for a paycheck playing ball elsewhere. The bottom line is, the owners take the financial risk and as such, just like any other business in this country, the owners get to make the financial decisions. The players dont like it because its a paycut from the past years. However, such is life and if you want to make the big bucks, you can put together hundreds of millions of dollars and buy your own team. NBA players make more on average than any other American athlete and they have the most player friendly contracts in any professional sport. They dont deserve more money than the owners.

ink

11-14-2011, 01:53 AM

If guys like Etan Thomas persuade other players to vote against this rather mediocre deal it'll only be better in the long run. He is so blinded by "injustice" he doesn't realize that there is no chance the deals will ever get better for the players. But if they vote it down, the deals will in time be better for the league and the fans. I'm OK with this guy lengthening the lockout. The league needs a stronger cap system and I'm happy to wait it out.

inferno.

11-14-2011, 01:57 AM

I would like to hear from a player that actually belongs in the league..

LA_Raiders

11-14-2011, 02:03 AM

take the deal and get to work

sixer04fan

11-14-2011, 02:17 AM

Take the deal and STFU.

This. News flash, Etan, the majority of fans do not feel sorry for you, the players. Myself included. Do not compare yourselves to the poverty stricken occupiers, it only makes you look worse.

Players, take the deal before it gets worse, and stop whining. The offers will not get better. This I guarantee. Stop trying to "stick it to the man," and realize that the fans are turning against you more and more by the day. At the end of the day, you're still going to be rich as hell either way. For once, try being thankful for what you have. Take the deal and STFU.

oldfishermen

11-14-2011, 02:34 AM

Etan Thomasís thought process on the negotiations is FUBAR.

ClippersE.G

11-14-2011, 03:45 AM

It is not your right to play in the NBA. Its a privilege. If you dont like the system or how the owners treat their players you are free to search for a paycheck playing ball elsewhere. The bottom line is, the owners take the financial risk and as such, just like any other business in this country, the owners get to make the financial decisions. The players dont like it because its a paycut from the past years. However, such is life and if you want to make the big bucks, you can put together hundreds of millions of dollars and buy your own team. NBA players make more on average than any other American athlete and they have the most player friendly contracts in any professional sport. They dont deserve more money than the owners.

But wait, it is not the players fault the economy is the way it is why should they suffer the consequences?

:p

ClippersE.G

11-14-2011, 03:45 AM

Take the deal and STFU.

Word.

ClippersE.G

11-14-2011, 03:46 AM

I hope Etan Thomas doesn't even have a say for the players union, he sucks way too much to even earn one and he certainly seems to not even have the smarts outside of basketball either, based on this anyway.

The only reason I think he opened his mouth is because he is one of the guys (ala Luke Walton) who get payed millions to do NOTHING. I would love to have a job where I do nothing and get payed :speechless:

Hellcrooner

11-14-2011, 04:21 AM

i love how psd people berrate the ABSOLUTELY ACCURATE and very well thought out opinion of one of the most INTELIGENT and cultivated players in the nba .

Hellcrooner

11-14-2011, 04:25 AM

btw all of you saying take the deal and stfu i hope you all get fired of your jobs and then some crook comes in his bentley and tell you, hey man you can come back to work, but now you are gonna work twice the hours, for half the money, and im gonna go down to your house on sundays and bang your wife, your mother and your sister.
if you dont like it go starve somwhere else, offer is only getting worse, if you dont accept by tuesday my next offer will include all of that and cuttign your penis oof and making you eat it.

then i ll say to you, sign the deal man!!!, o noh better yet

" If guys like you persuade other dudes to vote against this rather mediocre deal it'll only be better in the long run. He is so blinded by "injustice" he doesn't realize that there is no chance the deals will ever get better for the workers. But if they vote it down, the deals will in time be better for the rich mother****er. I'm OK with this guy lengthening the lockout. The bussines needs you to have no penis and I'm happy to wait it out."

da ThRONe

11-14-2011, 05:03 AM

He is really pushing the limits with some of his comments.

Comparing the players plight with that of the common worker - the guy made 15 million ove the last 3 years for playing 700 minutes of basketball. Find me 1% of the population that makes more then that.

Comparing the NBA to companies that got a government bailout - the NBA isn't asking the government for money, they are trying to lower the pay of their highest paid employees and get things in order before it gets to the point of wanting a bailout. If the banks acted the same way there wouldn't have been a need for a bailout.

How many of us on here can get hired and go into work doing things half-assed and still be guarenteed our salary for years? The answer is zero, its not even comparable. What the owners were asking for was still better then anything 99.9% of the population would ever get in compensation for not doing their job well.

Clearly you haven't seen government workers. LOL

5ass

11-14-2011, 07:07 AM

i love how psd people berrate the ABSOLUTELY ACCURATE and very well thought out opinion of one of the most INTELIGENT and cultivated players in the nba .

btw all of you saying take the deal and stfu i hope you all get fired of your jobs and then some crook comes in his bentley and tell you, hey man you can come back to work, but now you are gonna work twice the hours, for half the money, and im gonna go down to your house on sundays and bang your wife, your mother and your sister.
if you dont like it go starve somwhere else, offer is only getting worse, if you dont accept by tuesday my next offer will include all of that and cuttign your penis oof and making you eat it.

then i ll say to you, sign the deal man!!!, o noh better yet

" If guys like you persuade other dudes to vote against this rather mediocre deal it'll only be better in the long run. He is so blinded by "injustice" he doesn't realize that there is no chance the deals will ever get better for the workers. But if they vote it down, the deals will in time be better for the rich mother****er. I'm OK with this guy lengthening the lockout. The bussines needs you to have no penis and I'm happy to wait it out."

i get what you are saying and i agree somewhat, first of all theres a lot about etan thomas that no1 knows about, but theyre so quick to judge.. hes not a dumbass he knows what hes talking about..
but in the end lets not forget that the NBA owners control the basketball market, there is no other basketball league that can offer these guys anything close to what the NBA is offering.. and ur making it sound like losing a couple a million (for max players) a yr for multi millionaires is horrible when in fact they shouldnt rlly care cz still getting a **** load of money (about 16+ million isnt enough?)..
etan thomas is as extreme as you are right now, just not in the same thinking..

mdm692

11-14-2011, 07:15 AM

Doesnt matter wether its today or in a year the players will take the deal and everybody supporting them including etan thomas will eat their words and stfu. Its a win win situation for the owners always has been learn to accept it the only losers are the fans.

Law25

11-14-2011, 07:26 AM

The amount of hate these players get from some fans is disgusting. So many people are so jealous of what players make that they cant see how much the players are getting screwed and have given up so their can be a deal reached and a season for us fans. Its like this. The players are asking the owners can they please use KY while pounding their rectum and the owner are saying hell no take it raw and like it. And some fans are seeing it and acting as if the players are asking for to much. Owners are giving up nothing but more threats while players and stadium employees suffer, and fans lose out on a game we grew up loving.

magichatnumber9

11-14-2011, 07:38 AM

Keep fighting this corrupt system. I'm for the players. If ownership and the front office people can't run a business then they dont deserve one.

Tom Stone

11-14-2011, 07:58 AM

**************

LakersIn5

11-14-2011, 08:05 AM

LOL PSD people still licking the owners *** eventhough etan thomas clearly showed that its really the owners fault why there is a lockout

Tom Stone

11-14-2011, 08:06 AM

Wow.. I guess it's easier to get a real job than to get and stay in the NBA

I'm sure you get what he's saying.....All of our dreams, was to play in the NBA because it's doing what you love for a living....Playing ball....working out at home, because you don't have a real job.....It's more like living the dream, for millions of dollars........Don't confuse that with a normal job.....it's insulting
Also a lot of these guys are luckily to have size, I'm better than 50% of the NBA skill wise, I would kill D Wade in a three point shoot out, I have a dream shake on the block, I'm more polished than lebron in the post and I'm a combo gaurd......but not having the height, and size....it's tough....you can't teach size.......There is always the exception to the rule, but you get my point, a lot of these guys are blessed.

Delrayhc

11-14-2011, 09:02 AM

Im the last person that wants to hear anyone making millions complaining but try to look at this fight in a different perspective. Erase the Billionaire v.s Millionaire argument and replace it with owners that make $500,000 annually v.s employees that make $20,000 a year.

ITS ALSO ABOUT PRINCIPLE.

LanceUpperCut

11-14-2011, 09:13 AM

Keep fighting this corrupt system. I'm for the players. If ownership and the front office people can't run a business then they dont deserve one.

I think these guys proved they can run a business, you don't become Billionaires from being **** business men. 70% of these world class business men are failing and some of you think this is just a coincidence and nothing to do with a broken system.

Chi StateOfMind

11-14-2011, 10:44 AM

Well if Etan Thomas was relevant then ummmmmm. Just take the deal and play. It's only gunna get worse not better. Don't worry you will still make more then the avg citizen.

beasted86

11-14-2011, 05:12 PM

I told you guys all along it was only the superstars who were roadblocking this deal, but you guys didn't listen.

Only the all-star Prima donna players like Paul Pierce, Dwyane Wade, and Etan Thomas are the ones who dislike the deal. All the rank and file guys want to take the deal.